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Right-to-life organization: Roe vs. Wade 'saddest day'

In the 40 years since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortions in its Roe vs. Wade decision, more than 55 million unborn children have been killed, according to officials of National Right to Life.

"This is the 40th anniversary of the saddest day in American history," NRTL President Nancy Tobias said on a conference call Tuesday. "It was the day that the unalienable right-to-life was ignored and trampled."

But, she said, "While we mourn the loss of these children, we are encouraged by signs of change."

Tobias said abortions are declining from a high of 1.6 million in 1990 to 1.2 million a year in recent years.

She said the ratio of abortions for every 1,000 live births is down to its lowest recorded level since the decision.

"Abortion is still not a subject generally discussed at the family dinner table or around the office water cooler," Tobias said, "because Americans know that killing unborn children is wrong.

"While the pro-abortion movement is offering only a dead baby as a solution for a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, the right-to-life movement remains more committed than ever to protecting unborn children and providing compassionate, life-affirming alternatives to their mothers," said Tobias.

She said the group's pregnancy resource centers provide supplies and, when needed, a place for pregnant mothers to stay, with parenting courses and arrangements with medical personnel for free medical care if necessary.

Tobias said that recent polls showing most Americans oppose the reversal of Roe vs. Wade were biased.

The poll results, Tobias said, "are the result of a strategic public relations campaign by the abortion industry that was executed in concert with the Obama campaign and their allies in the media."

But she said young people are increasingly "rejecting abortion on demand."

"Our humanity is not defined by the atrocities that have been committed throughout history," Tobias said, "but by the shining light of those who recognize injustice and refuse to be complicit through silence."

President Barack Obama issued a news release on the ruling's 40th anniversary that said, "We reaffirm its historic commitment to protect the health and reproductive freedom of women across this country and stand by its guiding principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters, and women should be able to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care.

"Today and every day," Obama said, "my administration continues our efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, and minimize the need for abortion. On this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to supporting women and families in the choices they make and redouble our efforts to promote safe and healthy communities."